Politics BA Hons

What Will You Study

Exploring the themes, concepts and events that have shaped the contemporary political scene, you will begin your degree with our core course in Politics and Governance in the Contemporary World and will choose two further courses either from within the Department or from a wide range of courses offered by other Departments in the University.

As you continue with your studies, you’ll learn from academics committed to both teaching and research and will increasingly specialise through an extensive range of modules which focus on topical questions concerning government and politics in Britain, Europe and the world. Your second-year options include Politics of Development; Politics of the European Union, and Modern Political Thought.

In your final year, you have the opportunity to undertake a sustained investigation on a specific political subject of greatest interest to you and can choose from a wide range of modules, such as Africa and Global Politics; Islamic Politics, and Liberals and Communitarians.

Modules

Many of Lancaster's degree programmes are flexible, offering students the opportunity to cover a wide selection of subject areas to complement their main specialism. You will be able to study a range of modules, some examples of which are listed below.

Lancaster University offers a range of programmes, some of which follow a structured study programme, and others which offer the chance for you to devise a more flexible programme. We divide academic study into two sections - Part 1 (Year 1) and Part 2 (Year 2, 3 and sometimes 4). For most programmes Part 1 requires you to study 120 credits spread over at least three modules which, depending upon your programme, will be drawn from one, two or three different academic subjects. A higher degree of specialisation then develops in subsequent years. For more information about our teaching methods at Lancaster visit our Teaching and Learning section.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, but changes may be necessary, for example as a result of student feedback, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes, and new research.

Entry Criteria

Grade Requirements

A Level ABB

IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component. For other English language qualifications we accept, please see our English language requirements webpages.

Other Qualifications

International Baccalaureate 32 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 Higher Level subjects.

BTEC Distinction, Distinction, Merit

We welcome applications from students with a range of alternative UK and international qualifications, including combinations of qualification. Further guidance on admission to the University, including other qualifications that we accept, frequently asked questions and information on applying, can be found on our general admissions webpages.

Careers

Many of our graduates use their skills in research, analysis and communication to follow careers directly related to Politics and International Relations, such as the Civil Service, government or public affairs. Graduates of Peace Studies and International Relations have also found their degree valuable for careers with international charities and other NGOs.

Lancaster graduates in this subject show their employers impartial judgement, flexibility and a detailed knowledge of international developments. Many have used their degree as a foundation for careers in commerce, industry, accountancy, law, teaching, academic work, journalism or the armed forces. The intellectual and practical skills of peace-making give our graduates a good foundation for careers in mediation, social work, conflict resolution and human rights campaigning.

Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, but that you also graduate with relevant life and work based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which offers you the opportunity to complete key activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development. Visit our Employability section for full details.

Studying

Teaching and Learning Methods

At Lancaster we offer a broad range of learning environments designed to best support the requirements of your chosen degree programme. These may include lecture and tutorials, interactive workshops, laboratory sessions, other practical activities, student-led seminars and web-based delivery.

The modules which make up a programme of study are assessed using a variety of different methods, enabling students to demonstrate their capabilities in a range of ways. Typical coursework assignments include laboratory reports, essays, literature reviews, short tests, short and sharply focused critical reports, poster sessions and oral presentations. Formal examinations include short answer questions, essays and data analysis. Multiple choice formats are also employed where appropriate. Students are supported in the production of final year project reports and dissertations. Details of the assessment methods for individual modules can be accessed via the university's online module catalogue. In addition to these learning and teaching methods we encourage independent study, meaning you take responsibility for your own learning. For more information visit our Teaching Approach page.

Assessment Methods

We offer you a variety of stimulating and effective approaches to teaching, learning and assessment. This enables you and your tutors to explore the very latest thinking within your subject and develops your skills in problem solving, analysis and critical reflection, communication, application of knowledge and modern technologies.

As a University, we commit to providing all our undergraduates with a minimum number of contact hours per week, providing you with timely feedback on your work and a maximum number of 15 students per seminar group.

Fees

We set our fees on an annual basis and the 2018-19 entry fees have not yet been set.

As a guide, our fees in 2017-18 were:

UK/EU (2017-18)

Overseas (2017-18)

£9,250

£15,680

Channel Islands and the Isle of Man

Some science and medicine courses have higher fees for students from
the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. You can find more details here:
Island Students.

Funding

For full details of the University's financial support packages including eligibility criteria, please visit our fees and funding page

Students also need to consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation it may be necessary to take out subscriptions to professional bodies and to buy business attire for job interviews.